Poor uptake of influenza vaccinations in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy.

This audit was designed to assess whether existing UK vaccination programmes mean that patients receiving chemotherapy are being vaccinated against influenza. One hundred and ten adult patients receiving chemotherapy at a south London tertiary referral centre were interviewed when they attended for their chemotherapy. Thirty-six of the 110 (33%) patients had received their influenza vaccination at the time of the study. Vaccination rates were significantly higher in those patients older than 65 years (53% vs 17%, p<0.001), and in those with co-morbidities (49% vs 25%, p<0.05). The vaccination rate in this at-risk population is lower than the overall national uptake in those aged 65 and over. Those patients most likely not to receive their influenza vaccination are those who have no indication for vaccination other than the fact they are receiving chemotherapy. Increased awareness of the benefits of influenza vaccine and its safety is needed among general practitioners, patients and oncologists.